Work"; by Rev. T. H. Pattison, of Rochester Theological Seminary, on "The Bible in the Twentieth Century"; by Dr. C. R. Blackall, editor of the Society's periodicals, on "The Sunday-school Problem of the Twentieth Century"; and by Rev. James Edmunds, of Oregon, on "A National Sunday-school Institute." Rev. W. C. Bayless, Rev. R. J. Temple, and Rev. E. M. Stephenson also spoke. Secretary Rowland's annual report showed an increase in the Society's assets for the year of $27,729.17. In the publishing department the aggregate of sales for the year is $670,972.27; merchandise, $382,969.48; periodicals, $288,002.79. This shows a decrease of $1,645.36 from the sales of the previous year. In the missionary department the receipts for missionary work from churches, individuals, income from invested funds, bequests, etc., were $108,982.24. The deficit in the missionary depart ment at the beginning of the year was $11,909.92. It is now $18,624.26, showing an increase of $6,714.34.

Missionaries and workers to the number of 110 have been employed; 374 Sunday-schools were organized; 644 persons were baptized; 2,828 Sunday-schools and individuals were aided by donations of Bibles, books and periodicals; 747 institutes were held. Officers: President, Samuel A. Crozier; Secretary, A. J. Rowland, 1420 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.

At the joint mass-meeting Thursday afternoon (May 23) there was an animated discussion on the recommendations of the committee on coordination, making the delegates from the churches the same for the three leading denominational societies, and proposing other changes. Section 1 of the report was amended, requiring action at the meeting in 1902; sections 2 and 6 were passed, and sections 3, 4, 5 were rejected. The six recommendations of the report are as follows:

"1. It is the judgment of this commission that the best interests of our work as a denomination require that the annual gatherings of the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the American Baptist Missionary Union and the American Baptist Publication Society should be representative and delegated bodies, having the same basis of representation, so that the delegates to the three societies shall be, so far possible, identical.

"As a step necessary toward this end we recommend that the several societies, at the earliest possible date, and after mutual consultation through their executive boards, change their constitutions so as to require the same qualifications of voters at their anniversaries.

"It is believed that such action is fundamental, and if taken would create an atmosphere in which a 'better co-ordination' would be possible. If the executive officers and boards of our several societies could be brought to realize, as such action would help them to see, that their constituencies were actually one, a distinct advantage would be gained, and if the representatives of our churches could go up to the Anniversaries with the clear conviction that an actual responsibility concerning the entire work of the denomination rested upon them, it is certain that a better co-ordination of the different departments of our work would be the result..

"2. We suggest that there be a mid-year conference of the executive boards of the American Baptist Missionary Union, the American Baptist Home Mission Society, the American Baptist

Publication Society and the women's societies, in the interest of a completer co-operation in the collection of the offerings and the prosecution of the work in the field.

"3. We recommend the introduction and maintenance of one missionary magazine representing all the missionary work of the denomination, with possibly a juvenile publication covering the same ground.

"4. In view of the fact that many Baptist churches contribute to missionary work only through the treasuries of the women's societies, we earnestly recommend that every church feels itself under obligations to recognize in its annual offerings the claims of the general societies upon all its members.

"5. We urge all of our societies, the general societies and all women's societies, to abandon public appeals for specific objects or persons.

"6. We recommend the appointment of a committee of nine by the bodies to which we report, to take into consideration the whole matter of our collection agencies and work of our district secretaries of the three main societies to report at the Anniversaries in May, 1902."

In Section 1, the words, "at the earliest possible date," were stricken out and an amendment substituted the words, "change their constitutions so as to requre the same qualifications as to voters, and that the constitutional changes be submitted at the Anniversaries in 1902."

The sixty-ninth anniversary of the American Baptist Home Mission Society was held May 23-24. The leading speakers were: Dr. L. C. Barnes, on "Our Mission to Roman Catholics"; Dr. E. B. Palmer, "A Visit to Porto Rico"; Rev. W. H. Sloan, "Mission Work in Mexico"; Dr. W. M. Lawrence, "Home Missions in the Twentieth Century"; Dr. J. E. Jones, "Negro Preachers" and Dr. Wallace Buttrick, "Our Negro Schools."' The treasurer's statement showed that the receipts for the year were $706,833.67; expenditures, $706,630.26. The number of churches aided during the year is 52. Respecting the work of the Society the report of the Secretary, Dr. T. J. Morgan, furnishes these details: The whole number of laborers, missionaries, and teachers supported wholly or in part by the society has been 1,119. These have been distributed as follows: In New England States, 43; in the middle and central States, 64; in the southern States, 215; in the western States and Territories, 830; in the Canadian dominion, 8; in Mexico, 20; in Alaska, 2; in Cuba, 9; in Porto Rico, 8; French missionaries have wrought in 6 States; Scandinavian missionaries in 23 States; German missionaries in 21 States and Canada; colored missionaries in 19 States and Territories. Among the foreign population there have been 279 missionaries and 15 teachers; among the colored people, 53 and 191; the Indians, 20 and 23; the Mexicans, 14 and 6; the Cubans, 6 and 3, the Porto Ricans, 6 and 2 respectively; among the Mormons, 3 teachers, and among Americans, 578 missionaries. The Society aids in the maintenance of 31 schools established for the colored people, the Indians and the Mexicans. There are 7 day schools for the Chinese, and other day schools as follows: one in Utah, 1 in New Mexico, and 1 in Cuba; in all 41. The report shows 1,954 churches and outstations supplied; 4,906 received by baptism; 81 churches organized. An important resolution was adopted, urging increased attention to the public education of Indian children. Officers:

President, E. M. Thresher: Corresponding Secretary, T. J. Morgan, 111 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

The thirteenth annual meeting of the American Baptist Education Society was held May 25. The opening address was given by President N. Butler, of Colby College. Other speakers were President W. H. P. Faunce, of Brown University, Principal D. W. Abercrombie, of Worcester Academy, and President N. E. Wood, of Newton Theological Institution. Dr. H. L. Morehouse read extracts from the annual report submitted. Five institutions in the United States and Nova Scotia were aided to the amount of $70,000. This will bring $305,000 to our denominational colleges when all conditions are met. The development of denominational institutions in America is without parallel elsewhere. A view of the century

ALEXANDER MACLAREN, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.

shows an increase from one institution to nearly 200 in the Baptist denomination, from $50,000 school property and endowment to about $44,000,000; from 92 students to 40,000. Receipts of the past year were $103,500.15; expenditures, $99,490.12. Officers: President, Nathaniel Butler; Corresponding Secretary, H. L. Morehouse, 111 Fifth Avenue, New York City.

The forty-eighth anniversary of the American Baptist Historical Society was held Saturday evening, May 25. The chief address was given by Dr. H. S. Burrage on "Senator Hoar and the Early Baptists of New England," in which he maintained that the Baptists "have always asked for themselves and all others soul liberty." The Secretary reported valuable additions to the historical library of the Society. Officers: Presi dent, B. L. Whitman; Vice-president, Lemuel

Moss: Recording Secretary, B. Mac Mackin, 1420 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

On Sunday morning, May 26, the annual missionary sermon was preached by Dr. E. W. Hunt, of Boston. At the centennial mass-meeting in the afternoon four short addresses were given by Dr. E. E. Chivers, Rev C. A. Barbour, Rev. S. B. Meeser, and Rev. R. M. West. The two speakers at the missionary mass-meeting in the evening were Dr. John Humpstone, who spoke on "Missions in the Light of our Lord's Resurrection," and Dr. E. M. Poteat on "A Christian World.

The American Baptist Missionary Union held its eighty-seventh anniversary May 27-28. It may be called the most notable gathering of Baptists in recent years, because of the addresses of missionaries from the scenes of conflict in China. On the first day the situation at the front was discussed by Rev. D. Downie, of India, Rev. W. A. Stanton, Burma, and Professor L. E. Hicks of Rangoon. Tuesday morning, May 28, Rev. E. W. Clark spoke on "Ripening Fields in Assam," followed by Rev. P. Frederickson on missionary work in Africa. At the afternoon session Rev. J. H. Scott spoke on "The Sunrise Kingdom"; and "The Transition in China" was the topic of several speakers from abroad. At the evening session Rev. J. S. Adams, of China, discussed the causes of the Boxer outbreaks, holding that the source of the trouble is the unjust treatment China has received from foreign nations. The treasurer's report showed that the total of receipts the past year was $687,706.13; expenditures, $574,132.10. Officers: President, R. O. Fuller; Corresponding Secretaries, Henry C. Mabie and Thomas S. Barbour, Tremont Temple, Boston, Mass.

The Southern Baptist Convention held its forty-sixth session at New Orleans, La., May 9-14, 1901. The meetings were largely attended. Reports showed that the contributions were as follows: For foreign missions, $156,083.33; for Sunday-schools, $78,380.97; and for home missions, $91,075.11. Officers: President, W. J. Northen; Secretaries, Rev. Lansing Burrows, Nashville, Tenn., and Rev. O. F. Gregory, Baltimore, Maryland. The convention will meet next year at Asheville, N. C.

The Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland held a joint meeting with the British Congregational Union in London, April, 1901. The greatest of living Baptist preachers, Dr. Alexander Maclaren, of Manchester, England, presided in company with Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London. According to the statistics published in the Baptist Handbook for Great Britain and Ireland, there are at present 2,739 Baptist churches in the British Isles, increased from 2,704 last year; 3,918 chapels, 365,678 members, as compared with 353,258 last year; 51,825 Sunday-school teachers and 528,131 scholars, 5,564 local preacher and 1,992 pastors in charge. On new edifices and improvements £163,581 has been expended and debts have been reduced £86,839. The Twentieth Century Fund has received large additions. Officers: President, Rev. William Cuff; Vice-president, Dr. Alexander Maclaren; Secretary, Rev. J. H. Shakespeare, 19 Furnival St., London, E. C.

Incomplete returns from the Baptists of Australia are as follows: Number of ministers, 132; of churches, missions and preaching stations, 351; members, 70,361; Sunday-school pupils, 16,100.

The figures for British America are: Canada,

528 churches and 46,674 members; New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward's Island, 546 churches and 51,390 members.

For other countries of the New World the statistics are: Mexico, 32 churches and 1,232 members; Central America, 15 churches and 1,000 members; Alaska, 2 churches and 35 members; Porto Rico, 5 churches and 132 members; Cuba, 18 churches and 3,087 members; Jamaica, 182 churches and 33,952 members; Haitai, etc., 14 churches and 5,932 members; Argentina, 4 churches and 100 members; Brazil, 23 churches and 1,524 members; Patagonia, 1 church and 15 members.

Tables of foreign-speaking Baptists have been compiled by Professor Rimaker, whose summaries are here given: German Baptists, 68,726; Slavic Baptists, 19,149; Scandanavian Baptists, 73,130.

The American Baptist Yearbook supplies these totals: Baptists of Asia, 119,745; of Africa, 6,700. The grand total of all the Baptists in the world in 1901 is estimated from 5,012,880 to 5,136,215.

BARRYMORE, MAURICE (Herbert Blythe), the actor-playwright who recently became insane, was born in India, 1847. He was graduated from Cambridge University, England, and studied for the Civil Service. Afterward he gave up the practice of law for the stage. He had a notable career as an actor, taking leading parts with Modjeska, Mrs. Langtry, in the A. M. Palmer company and others. He is the author of several plays: "Nadjeska," "The Robber of the Rhine" (libretto), etc. While playing last winter he frequently showed signs of mental collapse, and early in April he was confined at Bellevue Hospital, New York, where he occupied his time when rational, by writing a new play.

BESANT, SIR WALTER, M.A., F.S.A.. the author, died in London, June 10, 1901.

Walter Besant was born August 14, 1836, at Portsmouth, England. The Besant's were prosperous trades people and the boy was born into an atmosphere of culture and refinement.

He first attended King's College, London, and afterwards Christ's College, Cambridge, distinguishing himself as a student and especially as a mathematician. For nearly seven years (1861-67) he was senior professor of mathematics in the Royal College of Mauritius. His first work, "Studies in Early French Poetry" was published in 1868. In 1873 appeared "The French Humorists," in 1877 "Rabelais" and in 1882 "Readings from Rabelais." Meantime his first novels, "Coligny" and "Whittington" had appeared and the writer had formed a partnership with James Rice in the production of a series of novels that bear their names. The most famous of Mr. Besant's own novels is "All Sorts and Conditions of Men."

It was in this book that he first revealed himself as a deep student of social questions and an ardent sympathizer with the "people." The heroine of his story was the founder of a "Palace of Delight," which later was realized in the "People's Palace," erected and still maintained in the East End in London. "The Children of Gibeon," in which the condition of industrial women in the great cities is discussed, was another of Besant's books strongly social in character and matter.

(1895), "The City of Refuge" (1896), "The Fen and the Book" (1899), and "The Fourth Generation" (1900). He was also the author of the "Lives" of Edward Palmer and Richard Jeffries. His "Studies" of places in and about London are remarkable for the clearness and the fine literary skill which characterize them. They include "London" (1892), Westminster" (1895), "South London" (1898), and as his last work-published last April-"East London," a study of that city, now having a population of 2,000,000, which he had seen grow up in London within the last twenty years.

66

Mr. Besant was Secretary of the Palestine Exploration Fund from 1868 until 1885, and it was largely due to his efforts that the organization proved so successful.

In May, 1895, Mr. Besant became Sir Walter Besant, being knighted by Queen Victoria, an honor which had been offered him before, but which he refused until he felt certain that it was a distinction conferred upon his profession as such, rather than upon him as an individual.

Sir Walter visited the United States twice, the last time being in 1893, during the World's Columbian Exposition.

The chief work of his closing years has been the preparation of an exhaustive encyclopedia of London on the lines of Stow's original survey. This undertaking had engrossed his leisure from novel writing for six years and has been virtually carried to completion.

In the passing of Sir Walter Besant the poor of London have lost a friend who never seemed to weary of pleading their cause. He leaves two sons both of whom are fighting in South Africa. One is a Captain in the Warwickshire and the other a trooper in the Imperial Yeomanry.

BOER WAR, THE.-The war in South Africa was reported to be over May 31, 1900, at the time of the occupation of Johannesburg by Lord Roberts, but the latest reports represented the burghers as still fighting. An important engagement, in which hundreds of men were killed and wounded, was fought at Vlakfontein May 29,-1901.

Only a brief chronicle of events is attempted here. The war began Oct. 11, 1899, with the seizure of a train by the Boers. The next day Natal was invaded, and the Free State troops took Philipstown in Cape Colony; on Oct. 13 New Castle and Vryburg were occupied by the Boers. Two armored trains were derailed and captured, and a few small skirmishes took place in the first week of the war, but no serious fighting before the battle of Glencoe (Oct. 20), in which 4,000 Boers under Commandant-General Joubert were defeated by the British forces under General Symons, who was mortally wounded. The British casualties were 40 killed, 189 wounded, and a

LORD ROBERTS, V. C.

squad of hussars taken prisoners. The Boer loss is not known. During the next ten days Elandslaagte was fought (Oct. 21), Dundee was occupied by the Boers, and there was hard fighting at Rietfontein, Kimberley, Mafeking, and Ladysmith. At Nicholson's Nek about 317 British were killed and wounded, and 920 captured (Oct. 30).

The month of October saw Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafeking cut off from communication with the outside. world. Thenceforth these beleaguered garrisons were the centers of interest, and their relief was the main object of Gen. Redvers Buller's movements. General George White was in command of a force of 10,000 or more at Ladysmith, which was well supplied with provisions and ammunition. At Kimberley Colonel Kekewich had 700 regulars and some 1,500 volunteers. Colonel Baden-Powell was stationed at Mafeking with 1,500 men.

On Oct. 31 General Buller arrived at Cape Town, with a force of 6,000 cavalry, an army

corps of 32,000, and other troops, making a total of 47,000. At the beginning of the war there were less than 25,000 regulars in South Africa. It is said that the Boers had less than 30,000 in the field then.

In November the Boers were occupied with seizing small towns, derailing trains, attacking convoys, blowing up bridges, and bombarding the besieged towns. Their operations were so successful that the British gave up the plan of campaign into the Orange Free State and directed their efforts to relieve Ladysmith, Kimberley, and Mafeking. The worst disaster was the battle at Modder River (Nov. 28).

December was a gloomy month for England. General Gatacre suffered a severe reverse at Stormberg (Dec. 10), losing nearly 90 killed or wounded and 633 men taken prisoners. In the terrible battle of Magersfontein (Dec. 11) General Wauchope was killed. General Methuen's force withdrew, losing more than 900. At Colenso General Buller attempted to cross the Tugela River (Dec. 15) and miserably failed, sustaining many casualties-900 killed and wounded, and 220 missing. He also lost eleven heavy guns. The confident predictions of easy success and a speedy ending of the South African business had not been fulfilled. More troops were dispatched, not only from Great Britain, but from Canada and Australia. Lord Roberts was appointed commanding general of the new army, with Lord Kitchener as his Chief-of-the-Staff, the former leaving England Dec. 23. In the latter part of the month the British were cheered by news of successes at Dordrecht and Colesberg (Dec. 31).

In January several determined attacks on Ladysmith were withstood and the Boers were repulsed at Rensburg (Jan. 15). After a desperate attack Spion Kop was won (Jan. 24), and almost immediately the British were forced to retire owing to the terrific fire of the Boers.

The

On Feb. 5 General Buller made a third attempt to reach Ladysmith, but failed In the meanwhile Lord Roberts, who arrived at the Cape Jan. 10, had organized a new army and took the field Feb. 6, marching rapidly toward the Orange Free State. This move had the effect of dividing the Boer forces, General Cronje leaving the neighborhood of Ladysmith and swiftly marching northward, pursued by General Kelly-Kenny. forces around Kimberley were so reduced that General French met with but little resistance in entering the famished town (Feb. 16). For the fourth time Buller tried to relieve Ladysmith, and succeeded. When he entered the town (March 1), the garrison were in dire straits for food. More than 600 had been killed or died of disease, and about as many more had been wounded. At Paardeberg Cronje with 4,000 men was surrounded, and after a stubborn resistance for nine days was overwhelmed by a force ten times as large. Before his surrender (Feb. 27), the British suffered heavy losses. Later (April 3) Cronje and 1,000 Boer prisoners sailed for St. Helena.

The Boers were now thoroughly disheartened by these disasters, and Presidents Kruger and Steyn made peace proposals, which Britain summarily rejected, saying unconditional surrender was necessary. European nations declined to intervene, and the appeal to the Washington government was fruitless. The President's tender of friendly offices as mediator was not acceptable to Lord Salisbury. One defeat followed

another, and on March 13 Lord Roberts entered Bloomfontein, the capital of the Orange Free State. Gradually the Boers fell back, leaving their chief towns south of the Vaal in the hands of the British, but concentrating at Kroonstad. General Joubert died March 27, and was succeeded by Louis Botha as Commandant-General. At this time, when many of the Boers were losing heart, the daring General Christian De Wet, by a clever trap, won a victory at Sannah Post, killing or wounding 250 men, capturing 423, and taking 7 cannon. He had 1,400 burghers, and Colonel Broadwood, who had 2,500 men, with difficulty got away with five of his twelve cannon. The loss of the Boers was 16 killed and wounded.

Early in April 405 British troops were captured at Reddersburg, and the Boers were active at Wepener (in the south of the Orange Free State), which was relieved (April 25) by General Rundle. There was severe fighting at Thabanchu April 27 and 30. At this time the envoys from South Africa, Messrs. Fischer, Wessels, and Wolmarans, visited Europe in behalf of the Boer republics. Finding their mission hopeless, they came to the United States and spoke at large public meetings in the prominent cities, arousing great enthusiasm among the people, but getting no encouragement from the President and his Cab

inet.

In April, 1900, the British War Office reported a long list of soldiers killed in action-211 officers and 1,960 men, besides 2,045 who died of disease and wounds. Among the 5,222 officers and men invalided home, many died after their return to England. About the same time 9,000 were in the hospitals, making the casualty and sick list more than 22,000. Boer losses in killed, wounded and missing were also heavy. The exact figures are not known.

In

In the meanwhile Lord Roberts rested at Bloomfontein and made preparations for another campaign. He began the march northward May 1, his columns stretching wedge-shape over thirty miles and driving the Boers before them. danger of being flanked, the burghers retreated before greatly superior numbers. Mafeking was relieved May 17, after the resourceful BadenPowell and his little band of brave but weakened soldiers had undergone a siege of 217 days. The available forces of Lord Roberts and his generals now amounted to 200,000, while the Boers in the field numbered 20,000 or less. With but little opposition, the British entered the Transvaal and occupied Johannesburg May 30. The same day Lord Roberts proclaimed the annexation of the Orange Free State as the Orange River Colony. A few days later (June 5) Pretoria capitulated, and more than 3,000 British prisoners at Waterfall were released; about 900 were removed by the Boers. In a few weeks the chief districts of the Transvaal were under British control, but south of the Vaal the Boers under De Wet showed renewed strength and were engaged in cutting railway lines and capturing convoys.

In July the British defeated the Boers at Ficksburg and captured Bethlehem and Rietfontein. At Nitral's Nek, eighteen miles from Pretoria, a considerable British force was captured (July 11), and at Honing Spruit "another unfortunate occurrence took place" (July 21), the capture of a supply train with 100 men. General Prinsloo, with a large force of burghers, surrendered July 30.

In August many efforts were made to capture De Wet, but he successfully eluded his pursuers. At Harrissmith about 700 Boers surrendered to General Rundle (Aug. 19). Later the British advances caused the Boers to leave Nooitgedacht, releasing 1,800 British prisoners.

From his headquarters at Belfast Lord Roberts issued a proclamation (Sept. 1), annexing the Transvaal as a colony of the Queen's dominions. A combined advance by Generals Buller and Hamilton was then made on Lydenburg, against the Boers under Commandant-General Botha, who was obliged by ill-health to give up the command to General Viljoen. The Boers could make no effectual stand, but broke up into small forces. It was reported that the British had at this time 15,000 prisoners of war. In the latter part of

September about 3,000 Boers under General Pienar surrendered to the Portuguese authorities.

On Oct. 6 General Buller left for England. Generals French, Barton, and Knox remained to round up De Wet. Lord Roberts, considering the large movements of the war practically at an end, left Pretoria in November for Cape Town, whence he sailed for England Dec. 11.

On October 19 President Kruger sailed on a Dutch war vessel to Europe, landing at Marseilles (Nov. 22), where he received a popular demonstration, and later at Paris and The Hague (Dec. 6) he was enthusiastically welcomed by great crowds.

The list of casualties on the British side up to Oct. 31, 1900, was 46,026. Deaths in South Africa of officers and men numbered 10,698, and 208 of those sent home as invalids died. The missing were 829. Nearly 35,000 were invalided.